Which place is cheaper, Xi'an or Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cairo or Xi'an?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Xi'an can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Cairo or Xi'an?
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
Xi'an
Xi'an is an ancient city in the Shaanxi Province in China. Today it is most notable as the location of the Terracotta Warriors, but for visitors who choose to linger, there is so much more to see and do in the area. The city itself is more than 3,000 years old and for about one thousand years, through 13 dynasties and 73 emperors, it was the capital. Because of its rich history there are many historical ruins and a strong culture in the city. Today the city is a pleasant place to visit, although much of it's influence and power has dwindled. The city has both cosmopolitan and modern areas as well as historic and culturally rich areas. The neighborhoods are diverse and by exploring the city in depth you can learn a little more about what China really has to offer.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, The Best Historical Tours in Egypt, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China.
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Cairo Prices
Egypt PricesXi'an Prices
China Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCairo $30Xi'an $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $30, while the average daily cost in Xi'an is $112. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cairo and Xi'an in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCairo $10Xi'an $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCairo $20Xi'an $130
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Xi'an
Looking for a hotel in Cairo or Xi'an? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cairo Hotel Prices and Xi'an Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cairo $3.46Xi'an $13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
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Metro Ride$0.08
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Taxi Ride$0.29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
- 1 Day Aswan Abu Simple Tour with Transfer Included: $300
- 1 Hour ATV Quad Bike Ride At Giza Pyramids With Private Transfer: $30
- 1 Way Pick up transfer from Cairo to Hurghada by private Car: $80
- 1 way Private Pickup transfer from Le Meridien Heliopolis to Cairo airport: $18
- 2 Day Cairo Tour upon arrival day with airport transfer: $138
- 2 Days Private Guided Tours of Cairo and Giza with Free Cairo Airport Transfers: $200
- 2 Days Tours package Include airport transfers (Cairo & Alexandria): $208
- 2 Days and 2 Evenings Private Tour in Cairo include airport transfer and M&A: $280
- 2 Private day tours in Giza pyramids and Cairo city with 2 airport Transfers: $155
- 2-Day Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $250
- 2-Day-One night Camping Tour in The Bahariya Oasis with Private Transfer: $274
- 24/7 Private Transfer Cairo, Airport, or Giza to/from New Capital: $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Xi'an
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Xi'an:
- 1-Day Xi'an Layover Tour: Terracotta Army with Round Airport transfers(XIY): $100
- 1-way Private Transfer: Xi'an City Hotel to Airport/Train Station: $55
- 2-Day Customized Private Tour With Transfer in Historical Xi'an: $269
- All-Inclusive: Private Terracotta Warriors Transfer + Ticket: $85
- Arrival Transfer Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Hotel: $35
- Bullet Train Station Transfer Service: $31
- Departure Transfer Hotel to Xi'an Xianyang International Airport: $61
- From Xian: Terracotta Army and City Wall Tour with Airport Transfer: $245
- Full-Day Layover Private Tour: Essence of Xi'an With Airport Transfer: $229
- Mt. Huashan Private Roundtrip Transfer with Driver's Tickets Help: $113
- Private Airport Transfer: Xi'an Hotel to Xianyang International Airport: $29
- Private Arrival Transfer Xi'an Railway Stations to Hotel: $32
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Xi'an?
Prices for flights to both Xi'an and Cairo change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCairo $16Xi'an $23
Typical Food Prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
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Juice$0.04
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $5.00
- Explore Giza Pyramids with Camel, ATV, Dinner Cruise, & Shopping: $5.00
- Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Camel Ride,ATV Bike,Shopping, Dinner cruise: $5.40
- Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $7.00
- 2 Hour Cairo Dinner Cruise on Nile river with live band: $7.00
- Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
- Cairo Dinner Nile Cruise with Belly Dancer Show on Nile River: $7.00
- Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
- Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $8.00
- Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Quad Bike, Camel Ride, Nile Dinner Cruise: $8.00
- night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
- Cairo Food Tour – Discover Hidden Downtown Gems: $8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Xi'an
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Xi'an.
- Xi’an：City Wall Multi-Entry or Night Food Tour with Show: $21
- Xi'An: Tang Dynasty Show Ticket w/ Transfer or Dinner: $33
- Top 3 Xian Sites to Terracotta Army & Dinner Show w/ Options: $35
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket Optional Dumplings or Royal Dinner: $37
- Tang Dynasty Royal Show Optinal Dinner With Round-trip Transfers: $38
- Skip The Line Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Or Dinner With Transfer: $39
- Xi'an: Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show with Dinner Option: $40
- Dinner and Show of Tang Dynasty Palace in Xian: $40
- Tang Dynasty Dinner Show with Private transfer: $55
- Xi'an Tang Dynasty Show Ticket with Optional Dinner: $57
- Xi’an: Market Tour and Cooking Class with Local Family: $59
- Xi'an Vegetarian Food Tour: $60
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cairo $8.29Xi'an $38
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Camel Market for Two$0.77
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Egyptian Museum Entry for Two$5.90
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private VIP Giza Tour+ New Musuem + Market: $3.59
- Day tour to Giza pyramids & sphinx, saqqara and Memphis: $4.00
- Full-Day Giza Pyramids,Sphinx, Saqqara&Memphis All-Inclusive Tour: $4.00
- Best-Selling Giza Pyramids Tour: Camel Ride, Lunch &Private Guide: $4.00
- Private Tour in Pyramids of Giza with Lunch and Camel Ride: $4.50
- Shopping tour In Governmental Bazaars include guide's advisor: $5.00
- Giza Pyramids and Sphinx Half-Day Private Tour: $5.00
- Explore Giza Pyramids on a Private ATV or Camel Tour: $5.00
- Cairo Shopping Tours to Old Markets and Local Souqs: $5.00
- Private Giza Pyramids, Sphinx Full Tour inside pyramids & tomb: $5.00
- Ancient Egypt Journey: Giza, Saqqara & Dahshur Private Experience: $5.00
- Ultimate Giza Pyramids Tour, Camel Ride, Lunch & Inside Pyramids: $5.00
Tours and Activities in Xi'an
Here are a few actual costs in Xi'an for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xi'an: Daci'en Temple(Great Wild Goose Pagoda) E-ticket: $9.99
- Xi'an Charter Service: Terracotta Warriors & City Tours: $13
- Xi'an: City Wall & Old Town Walking Tour w/ 10+ Food Tasting: $14
- Xi’an City Wall – E-Ticket: $15
- Xi'an: Xi’an City Wall South Gate(Yongningmen) Entry Ticket: $15
- Shaanxi History Museum Admission Tickets: $15
- Xi'an: City Wall Moat Smart Boat Tour: $17
- Huaqing Palace Adult Ticket[Direct Subway Access]: $18
- Xian: Terracotta Army Ticket & Guided Bus Tour with Options: $20
- Morning Tour to Terracotta Warriors Museum with Lunch: $20
- Terracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda&City Wall Full Day Tour: $20
- Xi'an: Exclusive Terracotta Army Tour & Local Family Lunch: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCairo $1.35Xi'an $7.82
Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:
- Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $69
- Cairo Autumn Downtown Food & Bar Crawl with Drinks: $109
Sample the Local Flavors in Xi'an
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Xi'an:
- Xi'an Bar Crawl: Drink, Gaming, Snacks & Meet with Locals: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Xi'an, we can see that Xi'an is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa and Xi'an is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Xi'an would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Xi'an than you might in Cairo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cairo Expensive? and Is Xi'an Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cairo or Xi'an?
Cairo has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Xi'an. When comparing the sizes of Cairo and Xi'an, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.